keenly held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keenly held" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe beliefs, opinions, or values that are strongly or passionately maintained by an individual or group. Example: "Her views on environmental conservation are keenly held, reflecting her deep commitment to the cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He had suffered a short illness, she said, but had keenly held his interest in politics through to the last.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Modi has cast himself as a self-made man, an aam admi – common man – in a country where privilege is keenly felt and tightly held.

The Guardian

Every year hundreds of thousands of students across the Islamic republic compete with each other in a keenly contested entrance exam held for public universities.

The Guardian

Yet the result of Iran's parliamentary ballot, held on February 18th, is keenly awaited.

The Economist

And, as both biographers keenly emphasize, Orwell the devout nonbeliever held that the loss of faith had left modern man spiritually bereft and ethically bankrupt.

The New York Times - Books

Inside the Nokia Theatre at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held on August 25, host Seth Meyers keenly observed that agents habitually tell their clients, "You are crushing it right now" or "just killing it, buddy".

Huffington Post

Republican Congressional leaders were tired of being accused by Democrats of being enemies of Medicare, and keenly aware that with control of the House and Senate they would be held accountable if Congress failed to produce a drug benefit.

The New York Times

But it was felt keenly in Herefordshire and in other parts of the country where non-league traditions are held dear.

BBC

But in the Middle East, the legacy of colonialism is still keenly felt, the Iraq war remains a source of widespread anger, and the US is widely held to be hypocritical for working closely with authoritarian Arab rulers while styling itself as a force for democracy in the world.

BBC

The Minority Business Development Agency is keenly aware of this fact and has made it the central theme of their hallmark event MED Week 2010 to be held in Washington, DC, August 25 - 27, 2010.

Huffington Post

The keenly fought battle to be Ireland's champion jumps trainer was represented on the track on Sunday when Apple's Jade held off Vroum Vroum Mag in a head-bobbing finish to the Hatton's Grace Hurdle.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keenly held" to describe convictions, opinions, or principles someone maintains with significant emotional or intellectual investment. It adds a nuance of depth and personal importance to the holding.

Common error

While "keenly held" is grammatically sound, avoid overusing it in formal documents or academic papers where a simpler term like "strongly held" might suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound overly dramatic or sentimental.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keenly held" functions as an adjectival modifier describing the nature of something being held. It indicates the intensity and depth with which a belief, opinion, or value is maintained. Ludwig suggests its use is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keenly held" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe beliefs, opinions, or values that are maintained with strong conviction and emotional investment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While its frequency is rare, the phrase appears predominantly in news and media contexts, making it suitable for general use with a slightly emphatic tone. Remember to consider the context and avoid overuse in overly formal writing, where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ardently held

Replaces "keenly" with "ardently", emphasizing passionate intensity.

Intensely held

Substitutes "keenly" with "intensely", focusing on the depth of the feeling.

Strongly held

Replaces "keenly" with "strongly", highlighting the firmness of the belief.

Passionately held

Uses "passionately" instead of "keenly", emphasizing the emotional commitment.

Eagerly held

Substitutes "keenly" with "eagerly", focusing on the enthusiasm of the belief.

Earnestly held

Replaces "keenly" with "earnestly", stressing the sincerity of the belief.

Deeply held

Emphasizes the profundity of the belief by replacing "keenly" with "deeply".

Fervently held

Replaces "keenly" with "fervently", emphasizing the passionate and enthusiastic nature of the holding.

Fiercely held

Uses "fiercely" to indicate a more combative or protective stance towards the belief.

Profoundly held

Substitutes "keenly" with "profoundly", focusing on the depth and significance of the belief.

FAQs

How can I use "keenly held" in a sentence?

You can use "keenly held" to describe a belief, value, or opinion that someone strongly maintains. For example: "His views on environmental protection are "keenly held"." It suggests a deep personal investment in the idea.

What are some alternatives to "keenly held"?

Alternatives to "keenly held" include "strongly held", "deeply held", or "passionately held", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "keenly held" formal or informal?

"Keenly held" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it tends to add a slightly more emphatic or sentimental tone. In very formal writing, consider whether a more neutral option like "firmly held" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "keenly held" and "strongly believed"?

While both convey a sense of conviction, "keenly held" suggests a deeper emotional investment and personal connection to the belief. "Strongly believed" simply indicates a firm conviction without necessarily implying the same level of personal significance.